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Who Made That Oreo Emboss?

By Hilary Greenbaum June 6, 2011 8:02 amJune 6, 2011 8:02 am

Andrew Lewicki

There are many imitations, but there is only one Oreo. Thankfully, distinguishing it from the rest is easy, due to the signature pattern that’s printed on each chocolate wafer. Seen above is a nonedible representation by the artist Andrew Lewicki, titled, “Oreo Manhole Cover.” Although the sculpture is 28 inches in diameter, cast in iron and lacks a cream filling, Lewicki’s diligent rendering of the pattern makes the likeness instantly recognizable.

After the National Biscuit Company introduced the Oreo in 1912, its face underwent a few rounds of adjustments before the contemporary design was settled upon in 1952. Many Internet resources have credited William Turnier as the man behind the four-leaf clover and serrated-edge design, but Nabisco could confirm only that a man by that name worked for the company during that time as a “design engineer.”

Bruce Grierson wrote this week’s cover story about Ellen Langer, a Harvard psychologist who has conducted experiments that involve manipulating environments to turn back subjects’ perceptions of their own age.Read more…